Advent Devotional: The Gospel of LukeSample

*Written by Rico Corporal

In this account from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 22, several key events unfold to fulfill the will of God: the establishment of the New Covenant, the betrayal by Judas, and the trial of Jesus as he is sentenced to be crucified. The events begin during the Passover when Jesus sends the disciples to prepare for it. This was no easy undertaking, as they had to sacrifice a lamb in accordance with God's ordinance.

Once the disciples sat down with Jesus to begin the Passover meal, Jesus expressed his desire to eat with them before His death. What began as a peaceful night of fellowship quickly turned into a tense and pivotal moment. Let’s delve into that night.

1. Jesus Establishes the New Covenant

"And he took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper, he took the cup and said, 'This cup is the New Covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'"

The Passover, or Festival of Unleavened Bread, is celebrated to remember how God delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land. Jesus also commemorated the Passover as part of fulfilling the Law.

As they celebrated, he informed the disciples that He would be the sacrificial Lamb. He lived a sinless life and was the Lamb without blemish who could offer Himself. The Old Testament was a shadow of things to come.

2. Betrayal

The infamous act by Judas is well-known among believers and non-believers alike. It serves as an example of how a close friend or family member can betray your trust. Many can relate to this moment, especially if they have a deep love for the individual. Although we may have experienced some type of betrayal, it pales in comparison to the betrayal of the Son of God.

Luke implies that Judas was present when Jesus began to speak about the betrayer: “But look, the hand of the one betraying me is at the table with me.” (Luke 22:21). In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, the warning about the betrayer is placed prior to the bread and cup. In John 13:30, it appears that the writer notes Judas leaving after dinner. Regardless of the chronological order, it highlights Judas' hypocrisy. Although the details of Jesus’ death, including the betrayal, were planned, it was still no excuse for Judas to engage in this act. Judas approached Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane with a mob and attempted to kiss him. Jesus replied, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” This treacherous act ultimately resulted in good for all humanity.

3. The Trial

Jesus is taken by the mob, his disciples flee, and Peter denies him three times after the rooster crows, just as Jesus had prophesied. Jesus is beaten, spat on, and mocked while blindfolded. He is brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council or judicial body. During this time, criminal trials held at night were considered illegal, so they waited until morning to continue the interrogation and render a verdict they had already decided. They continued to ask the same questions from the previous trial. God knows the hearts of men and what they are capable of: "For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slander." (Matthew 15:19).

The Sanhedrin violated all of God’s laws to persecute Jesus and lead Him to the cross to be crucified. The people made a spectacle of Christ; however, we must remember Paul’s words in Colossians 2:15: “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.” (Colossians 2:15). As believers, we remember what Christ has done is spectacularly wonderful, and we can be assured of His redemption.

Let’s pray: Praise God from whom all blessings flow. You have created the heavens and the earth by your power. You also created us; we did not create ourselves. We thank You for redeeming us with Your blood and forgiving us of our sins. Jesus, it is through You that we have access to the Father. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and without You, we can do nothing. Help us to remember Your sacrifice on the cross and how You made a way for us to live a life pleasing to the Father. Help us to continue living out Your commandments through Your Holy Spirit, and give us the wisdom to speak with others about Your redemptive work. It is in the name of Jesus we pray this prayer. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does understanding the establishment of the New Covenant in Jesus’ blood influence your perspective on sacrifice and redemption in your own life?
2. In what ways can we draw parallels between Judas's betrayal and modern-day situations where trust is broken? How can we respond to such betrayals in a manner that reflects Christ’s teachings?
3. Reflect on the trials that Jesus faced. What does His response to injustice and suffering teach us about handling our own trials and the importance of maintaining faith in difficult times?